1966 Polara 500 Ragtop

[Dsertdog]

I replaced the fuel pump and the car ran! YAY!
Unfortunately I don't believe I can up load the video! I do have it on face book.

Northeast Oklahoma Mopar Group

 

[Dsertdog]

Got rid of the Kalifornia smog device/siren too! Can you imagine having to run this?

Northeast Oklahoma Mopar Group

 

[Dsertdog]

Today my lady and I fired up the Polara and she followed me over to the License place. We'd hoped to get a title for it, but they needed to see the VIN on the car. It was not to be, not on a Saturday. They were shorthanded and the line was to the door.
So the car got a nice drive around time and I insisted we go back to the house and wash the crap off.
We couldn't park on our new driveway yet, but we still got it washed.

I put the hub caps back on, then tried top fix the back up lights...
Back up lights no worky...
I replaced a cracked headlight, actually both low beams.
Got rid of a chunk of after market wiring from a failed stereo install, lubed the hood hinge rollers and latch, and did the same to the trunk.
Tomorrow, we'll bring it home and I'll be replacing the heater hoses

 

[Polara_500]

Today my lady and I fired up the Polara and she followed me over to the License place. We'd hoped to get a title for it, but they needed to see the VIN on the car. It was not to be, not on a Saturday. They were shorthanded and the line was to the door.
So the car got a nice drive around time and I insisted we go back to the house and wash the crap off.
We couldn't park on our new driveway yet, but we still got it washed.
View attachment 279788
I put the hub caps back on, then tried top fix the back up lights...
Back up lights no worky...
I replaced a cracked headlight, actually both low beams.
Got rid of a chunk of after market wiring from a failed stereo install, lubed the hood hinge rollers and latch, and did the same to the trunk.
Tomorrow, we'll bring it home and I'll be replacing the heater hoses

View attachment 279789

Dang, she's purty....

And since there's no picture of the wife, assume I'm talking about the car.

 

[Dsertdog]

Thank you!
Yeah I run an escort car because of the fuel delivery issues I've had. Wife drives a 2006 Charger R/T with the "R tona" package.

 

[LocuMob]

We'd hoped to get a title for it, but they needed to see the VIN on the car. It was not to be, not on a Saturday. They were shorthanded and the line was to the door.

That sucks, you'd think they could take the time to walk out there and write it down. Glad they don't pull that BS here. For me, if they're open, they can do their job! Oh well, a couple days and it will be all good.

 

[Dsertdog]

That sucks, you'd think they could take the time to walk out there and write it down. Glad they don't pull that BS here. For me, if they're open, they can do their job! Oh well, a couple days and it will be all good.

We could've stayed and waited, but I didn't want to. Too much work to do and too little time. So we took the car home. The car is registered and has a plate.

 

[LocuMob]

They sure do things differently in different states! I have to have the title to get a car registered and a plate. OK not require titles on older vehicles?

 

[Dsertdog]

They sure do things differently in different states! I have to have the title to get a car registered and a plate. OK not require titles on older vehicles?

We had the sellers title, so they were able to transfer title and we could get a plate and registration without the car being present. To get our paper title, we have to take the car in so they can read the vin. Then they'll release the paper title.

 

[Dsertdog]

Things are starting to get a little more serious now.
I spent all week, as time permitted, rebuilding the carburetor.
It was a perfect day to reinstall it!

Bolted it back up and, used a Turkey baster to prime the fuel bowls, two pumps and we were running! I'm still piddling with it but without a Tach and sniffer it runs very good. New choke stove and original vacuum pot work perfectly!

We took it to the DMV and cleared the title and then went home and swept the rodent bait off the engine. NASTY!

Then I removed the various pieces of heater hose and replaced them with some new pieces. I know the holder isn't correct but it works and now I can access the distributor.

I swear that this is an original chunk of heater hose. It was about to blow out again. It's gone now.

And then she got parked on the new driveway. I removed the ruined washer reservoir and the very crusty washer pump. Maybe I'll try and save the pump.
All in all, a very productive day for me!

 

[Dsertdog]

The weather was clear and warm again. While I waited for the wife to get up and help me get the convertible, I pulled the washer pump apart.
The gears were frozen, so I drilled the rivets out on the pump body side and removed the pump body. I popped off the back of the body (like a watch case) and removed the gears. I had a bit of work getting them unstuck but persevered until they turned freely. I reassembled the pump and it worked.
The slightly corroded body looks at home on a survivor car. Just need some rubber feet.
I pulled the distributor cap, the points look burnt, and the ignition coil appears to be leaking. That'll be high on the list to do.
The oil cap looks to be too short. Don't 66 cars have the taller version? I flushed it with brake cleaner anyway and sprayed it black.

I then scrubbed the inner fenders and am really concerned about the mess in the battery area.

My wife, bless her heart, scrubbed the interior seating and vacuumed the carpet. I washed off the inner fenders and cowl.
Lastly, I replaced the PCV valve. It's the wrong color (silver) but I don't care. It's a driver, not a concours car

Another productive day, and yet so much to be done.

 

[Dsertdog]

Yesterday was a cloudy but cool day. I brought the car home and worked on her for a few hours.
I pulled out the spare, which looks to be either the original or close to it, then lifted the tar paper to see what lay underneath.

Tire's flat of course, and un-useable but for a prop. Trunk floor looks real good!

All the wiring has these neat hang tags, no doubt to id circuits for this trailer connector.

I vacuumed out the crap and reloaded the trunk. The new fuel tank is in there because we'll be installing it soon.

I decided to pull the console apart and check out the backup light switch. It really irks me that my backup lights don't work.

I pulled the shifter, removed the switch. I cleaned and re installed it. No worky still! Then I reread about switch adjustment. In the end I ended up sliding the switch all the way yo the rear of the slots.
And now I have reverse lights. Excellent!

While I was messing with the shifter, I pulled the ashtray. DISGUSTING! So gross I didn't take a photo.
Kools were someones cigarette of choice. Old matches...Ick. The PO didn't even clean it. It pretty much describes the rest of the car. Neglect.

Lastly, I changed the o rings in the control valve. I would've installed a new return hose but it wasn't in my parts stash. So I need to check with my mechanic.

Once again, a productive day.

 

[rkrochen]

Wow you are lucky with the trunk. That’s usually the first thing to go on convertibles. Keep up the good work.

 

[GJS]

The car looks great. Congratulations!

 

[Dsertdog]

We've been under storm warnings the last 48 hours and Monday doesn't bode well either.
I brought the car home and since I didn't want it to be down overnight I didn't do a lot of work.
I changed the voltage regulator to one of those electronic one's Fury GT sells. It seems to work better. Charging is smoother and the gauge doesn't jump around like it used to. Alternator probably needs a rebuild as well.

After that, I decided to play around with the suspension and adjust the "stance" as the kids say. I tightened the torsion bars and lifted the car about an inch in the front then added some air to the rear air shocks.
That would be about where I want it.

Wish I could do more, but I have chores as well. Maybe next weekend!

 

[Dsertdog]

Today I pulled off the license plate light housing and replaced the bulb. Now it works.
I was trying to figure out what to do next before the next batch of rain hit when the wife suggested we see if the top works.

By golly it does!

So, we took it for a quick drive and then my wife cleaned and treated the top. I cleaned the outside rear window with Plastic X and then wiped down the car with detailer.
Looks great, so we put up the top and put the Ms. Ruby away for the evening. Yes, her name is Ruby Red, aka "Scorch"
Thanks for reading!

 

[Dsertdog]

Today I started looking at some of the floor rust, and I thought I'd found. This is definitely the ugly part of the project and I'm not sure how this happened. The rocker panel area is at the bottom. Passenger side

Passenger side by transmission tunnel. Was this a top leak issue? Did someone put a battery here, on both sides?

Here's the "hole" the PO mentioned, or the one I found. Looks like the plug was drilled out. WTF?

Drivers side...

Not as bad, but not good. I must deal with this quickly!
Any suggestions from the crew?

 

[Dsertdog]

Yesterday I did the walk of shame...

Today I changed the pre-pump filter. The last one was changed March 31st and was post pump. The post pump filter still looks good but the pre-pump one...

As you can see it's got a lot of crap in it. I expect the the sending unit is no better. Probably saved the fuel pump!

So I replaced the filter and the line both and all is good for now. I have plenty of filters until I get the tank replaced.

Then I started replacing spark plugs and wires. Got the passenger side done and had to quit due to storms coming in.

Hopefully it'll clear out by tomorrow morning and I can get the other 4 plugs changed.

 

[Dsertdog]

Finally finished my "tune up" today.
Points, condenser, rotor, cap, wires, and plugs. The coil is leaking so I need a new one.

From this...

To this!

Hadn't replaced #1 plug wire but it's done now!

I forgot what a !@%#$!&&&*@%! # 7 plug was to replace!

 

[LocuMob]

I forgot what a !@%#$!&&&*@%! # 7 plug was to replace!

Do it more often, it'll become a breeze after s few times!